Firearm



Feb. 11, 1930. 1.. DRIGGS, JR., ET AL 1,747,057

FI REARM Filed Nov. 22, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet Patented Feb. 11, 1930- Lotus L. names, .13., on NEW ROCHELLE, Am) HENRY B. FABER, or NEW YORK, N. Y.

FIREARM Application filed November 22, 1928. Serial No. 321,241.

This invention relates to an improved hand operated muzzle loading firearm adapted for use in firing comparatively heavy projectiles at a low initial velocity, and with a minimum of recoil, and it is especially adapted for use in firing pyrotechnic signals from aircraft or from water borne vessels, or for firing night signals from any field or platform.

It may also be used to discharge flares for illumination purposes, smoke signals, or the like, or it may be useful in distributing gases by police, or militaryornaval troops, and'in a great variety of other ways, some of which will be hereinafter more fully described.

Our present invention is intended es ecially to provide for improvements over t e construction shown in our application Ser.

No. 263,024, filedMarch 20, 1928, and entitled Improvements in firearms. According to our present invention, the piece is especially de signed so as to be freefrom angular projections which tend to catch in the pocket or clothing of the operator, and tend to interfere with or retard the operation of the device. Our present invention is also intended to provide certain improvements in the firing mechanism, by which the piece may be prevented from beingfired prematurely and yet be quickly and successfully operated when desired.

The invention is also intended to provide a piece provided with a comparatively light hollow stock in which nearly all of the firing mechanism is masked, leaving only those parts protruding which must be gripped by the operator in firing the piece; and these protruding parts are provided with rounded surfaces free from angles which will not catch in the clothing or pockets of the wearer, .or be apt to engage any obstruction in the holder or other device in which the piece may be held when not carried by the operator.

Qur invention will be more fully understood after reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like parts are indicated by similar reference symbols throughout the several views.

Figure 1 represents a side elevation of the i0 piece with the cartridge case inserted, the

' moment only before firing,

outer end of the cartridge case being broken away,

Figure 2 shows a central longitudinal section through the stock and barrel, the parts being shown in elevation, and the firing mech anism being shown in the safety position, or in the position shown in Figure 1,

Figure 3 shows a section along the line 3-3 of Figure 2, and looking in the direction of the arrows,

Figure 4 is a similar view to Figure 2, except that the firing mechanism is in the cocked position, which is assumed for the Figure 5 shows a section along the broken line 5-5--of Figure 1, and looking in the direction of the arrows,

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the pivoted hammer forming part of the firing mechanism,

Figure -7 is a perspective view of the triggel;I used in the firing mechanism aforesaid, an

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a convenient form of removable firing pin, which may be used with the hammer aforesaid.

The body of the piece comprises a barrel A preferably of smooth bore construction, and with a short length comparative to its caliber. The gun barrel A is provided with two downwardly projecting ribs A, to which the metal housing B of the stock is connected as b means of the screw bolt C. The rear of tie barrel is closed by the rear wall A, and in rear of this wall, there are projecting ribs A integral with the barrel, between which the metal housing of the stock is secured as by means of the bolt C.

- This metal housing is preferably formed of the two parts, B which is chambered to receive the firing mechanism, and B which serves as a removable cover for the said chamber, these two parts being held together by the screw bolts D. These two 'parts B and- B may be cut awayat B to lighten the housing, and over these cut away portions the grip pieces B are secured as by means of the screw bolt-s D and D as shown in Figure l.

The outer surface of these grip pieces is preferably knurled or roughed as at b, so as to facilitate the gripping firmly of the piece by the operator..

The rear of the barrel is provided with the opening a for the firing pin, as shown in Figures land 4, and also with the segmental slot a for the segmental tooth e of the latch E for holding the cartridge case in place when in the gun. This latch E has a rounded outer contour e projecting but slightly beyond the outer wall of the barrel, as shown in Figure 5, and it is also pivoted to one of the lugs A, as at e and the downwardly proj ecting arm'of. the latch a is normally pressed outwards by the coil spring F,-all as shown in Figure 5; Thus, this latch will normally hold the cartridge case in the piece, unless this arm e is pressed inwards, in which case, the segmental tooth is withdrawn from the annular grove g in the cartridge case G, and the cartridge casemay be either withdrawn by hand, or allowed to fall out of the piece when desired.

When the cartridge case is inserted, its rim will automatically spring back the tooth e, and this tooth will snap into engagement with the annular groove 9 as soon as the cartridge case has reached the loading position in the barrel. The firing mechanism which is masked in the hollow stock is shown most clearly in Figures 2 and 4, and details thereof in Figures 6, 7 and 8, and will now be described.

H represents the hammer which is pivoted on the pin it, and is provided with rearward projecting arms h which engage the head i of the plunger I, which head i is connected to the hammer as by means of the pin 73. This plunger projects downward into the open free end of the cylindrical casing J, which is pivoted in the stock as at j, and which contains a coil spring J under compression in said casing, tending always to throw the hammer towards the firing position. The upper end or head of the hammer carries the firin pin M which may be conveniently forme with the stem m projecting into the openin k of the hammer and held in place therein by means of the pin m which may be a split pin, or any other suitable device, for holding the firing pin against being thrown out of the head, so that the firing pin may be conveniently removed should it be injured in any way. The firing pin may beprovided with a flange m and in front of which there is the usual firing point wa provided. Forward of its pivot the hammer is provided with-the cocking toe 72?- which engages the arm n of the hammer lifter N.

-This hammer lifter is in the form of a bell crank lever pivoted in the stock, as at n, and havlng the long arm n engaging the 1 spring 0.

This spring may be of bent metal of the form shown 1n Figures 2 and 4, and one arm of the spring presses into. the front of the arm n of the hammer lifter, and the other arm of the spring presses rearwardly on the lower arm 37 of the hammer lock P, which 1s pivoted, asat p, in the stock and has its upper end engaging the notch k on the rear of the hammer when the hammer is in the safety position, as shown in Figure 2; but this hammer lock is clear of this notch when the piece is cocked, as shown in Figure 4. Thus, this hammerlock P will prevent the hammer from moving back to the cocked position unt1l 1t is pressed inward in the act of firing, as will be hereinafter explained: The tnggenQ, 1s pivoted, as at g, to the housing B, and 1t has a rounded outwardly projecting lug g. The lowerrear corner of the trigger is provlded with the bearing surface g to engage the long arm of the hammer lifter, and also with the notch g to engage the housing, so that the trigger will not be thrown out too far under the action of the spring 0. The trigger carries a sear R, pivoted thereto as at r. This sear is in the form of a bell crank lever, having one arm 1" serving as a stop toe, and the other arm 1' is normally pressed rearand release thehammer, as will be hereinafter described. The sear spring S is a coil spring under compression, slidably mounted in a socket in the trigger.

Assuming the parts to be in the position shown in Figure 2, it will be seen that when the operator grasps the hammer lock P and the trigger Q, as can be done with a single movement of the hand, the first result will be the releasing of the'hammer lock and the swinging upwards of the sear, which will cause the head of the hammer to rock backwards until the hammer reaches the cocked position shown in Figure 4:. Just before reaching this position, the sear will pass out of engagement with the head of the hammer, and the hammer will be free to fly forward under the action of the firing spring J.

As the hammer flies forward, the firing pin will, of course, strike the primer and explode the cartridge.

When the pressure of the hand is released, the hammer lock P and thetrigger Q, and the hammer Hand sear R will all be restored to the initial safety position, as shown in Figure 2.

T 0 describe more fully the action just referred to; as the trigger is drawn rearward to cook the hammer, the sear will be drawn rearward engaging under the toe k of end of the toe 71. 'The sear having released the hammer, the hammer will fly forwards, as before stated. As it flies forward, the toe k of the hammer will bear down upon the arm n of the hammer lifter, and the pressure of the spring will cause ,this hammer lifter too far is checked by the arm of the hammer lock engaging in the notch b, and thus the hammer will be held in the safety position against going forward by the lifting effect of the arm n of the hammer lifter, and

it will be held against backward movement by the engagement of the arm 11 with the notch k It will be noted that the compression of the spring 0 by the hammer lifter will cause the other end of that spring to throw the hammer lock into more positive engagement with the hammer.

Thus, as soon as the grasp of the operator is removed from the trigger and hammer lock, the parts of the firing mechanism will return to the safety position shown in Figure 2, and will remain in that position until the operation of firing is resumed.

It will also be seen that it will be impossible to fire the piece by pulling on thetrigger unless, at the same time, thehammer lock is also pressed upon in the opposite direction, but the rearward movement of the trigger and the reverse movement of the hammer lock can be readily efiected at a single operation by merely gripping the upper part of the stock of the pistol with one hand.

The stock forms a convenient handle for manipulating the piece; and this can be safely done when the pieceis loaded, so long as the operator does not press inward at the same time, both the trigger and the hammer lock. In other words, the palm and fingers may be used to grip the stock, and at the momentof firing, press with the thumb on the hammer lock, firmly grippingboth it-and the trigger. After the piece hasbeen fired,.the empty cartrid e case will be held in place in the barrel 0? the gun by means of the latch .E; and by pressing inward on the lower arm 'e on this latch, the engagement of the latch with the cartridge case may be released. The b piece may then be tilted, allowing the car-- tridge case to fall out; or the released car+ tritlge case may be grasped with the left hand of the operator and removed from the piece,

and either thrown away or stored in any convenient receptacle.

It will thus be seen that while the opera-.

'tor holds the stock in his right hand, he

may readily insert the cartridge case with the left hand. Also, at any time after firing, he

may very conveniently press on the latch with one hand, and pull out the cartridge case with the other.

The ammunition used in the improved gun may be of any suitable, type, such, for mstance, as that shown in our application filed March 20, 1928, Ser. No 263,026 and entltled Improvements in fixed ammunition for firearms.

In firearms, in which a firing pin isused to explode the primer for fixed ammunition, 1t has been found in practice that the firing pm is apt to break off or become injured, due to the fact that this is generally made of hard steel; and when used with small arms generally having such firing pins, it is desirable to have the firing pin so arranged that it may be quickly and conveniently replaced with another pin, and, for this purpose, I have shown and described a firing pin which may be quickly assembled in place, or WhlCh may be quickly removed, if desired.

In will be seen that in order to get access to the interior of the hollow stock for any reason,

or to dismount the parts, it will be necessary to remove the screw e take off the latch with the cartridge case, and then remove the screws C and C, and the stock. may be moved down clear of the barrel.

The two members B and B of the stock may be separated by releasing the several binding screws, and then the hollow chamber in the. interior of the stock will be exposed,

and the several partsof the firing mechanism, as shown in Figures 2 and-4, may be conveniently removed.

In reassembling, reverse the operation just described.

WVhile we have described one embodiment of the invention in its preferred form, it will be obvious that various changes might be made in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts, which could be used without. departing from the spirit of our invention, and 'we do not mean to limit the invention to such details, except as particularly pointed out in the claims.-

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to' secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1 Ina firearm of the character described the combination with a short smooth bore barrel, provided with a slot through one side thereof, of ahollow stock connected to said arrel, a spring impressed latch pivoted in said stock and provided with an inwardly projecting tooth adapted to hold the cartridge case in the firing position in the barrel and to release same when desired, said latch being provided with a releasing arm protruding slightly beyond the adjacentsurface of the stock, and firing mechanism mounted in said hollow stock comprising a hammer, a trigger and a hammer-lock, whereby said firing mechanism may be operated by simultaneously pressing on said trigger and saidhammer lock for cocking and releasing said hammer, and thus firing the piece.

2. In a firearm the combination with a ing the piece.

8. In a firearm the combination with a barrel, of a hollow stock connected to said barrel, and firing mechanism mounted in said hollow stock comprising a hammer, a hammer w spring casing, a plunger and spring mounted in said casing, said plunger engaging said hammer, a hammer lifter, a trigger, a hammer-lo'ck-and a bent spring engaging both said hammer lifter and said hammer-lock, and normally tending to throw said trigger,

hammer-lock and hammer lifter to the safety position, whereby said firing mechanism may be operated by simultaneously drawing towards each other said trigger and said hammer-lock, for cocking and releasing said hammer, and thus firing the piece.

4. In a firearm the combination with a barrel, of a hollow stock connected to said barrel, and firing mechanism mounted in said hollow stock comprising a hammer, a hammer spr ng casing, a plunger and spring mounted in said casing, said plunger engaging said hammer, a hammer lifter, a trigger, a hammer lock, a scar in the form of a bell crank lever pivotally mounted on said trigger, a spring also carried by said trigger, and engaging said scar, and a bent spring engaging bothsaid hammer lifter and said hammer-lock, and normally tending to throw said trigger, hammer-lock and hammer lift-er to the safety position, whereby said firing mechanism may be operated by simultaneously drawing towards each other said trigger and said hammer-lock, for cooking and releasing said hammer, and thus firing the piece.

5. In a firearm the combination with a barrel, of a hollow stock connected .to said barrel, and firing mechanism mounted in said hollow stock comprising ahammer, a hammer spring, a trigger and a pivoted hammer-lock, a pivot ed hammer lifter in the form of a bell crank 9 lever having one arm engaging said hammer,

and the other engaging said trigger, and a U shaped spring having one arm engagmg said hammer lock and the other arm engaging said hammer lifter, and normally tending to throw said trigger, hammer lock and hammer lifter to the safety position, whereby said firing mechanism may be operated by simultaneously drawin towards each other said trigger and said ammer-lock, for cocking and releasing said hammer, and thus hung the piece. a

6. In a firearm thecombination with a barrel, of a hollow'stock connected to said barrel, and firing mechanism mounted in said hollow stock comprising a hammer, a hammer spring, a trigger and a sear in the form of a bell crank lever pivotally mounted on said trigger, a

spring also carried by saidtrigger, anden- 1y drawing towards each other said trigger and said hammer-lock, for cocking and releasing said hammer, and thus firing the piece.

7 Ina firearm the combination with a barrel, of a hollow stock connected to said barrel, and firing mechanism mounted in said hollow stock comprising a hammer, a hammer spring, ahammer lifter, a trigger projecting slightly forward of said stock, a,hammer lock projecting slightly rearward of said stock, and a bent spring normally tending to throw said trigger, hammer-lock and hammer lifter to the safety position, whereby said firing mechanism may be operated by simultaneously drawing towardseach other said trigger and said hammer-lock, for cooking and releasing said hammer, and thus firing the piece.

8. In a firearm the combination with a barrel, of a hollow stock connected to said barrel, and firing mechanism mounted in said hollow stock comprising a hammer, a hammer spring casing, a plunger and spring mounted in said casing, said plunger engaging said hammer, a hammer lifter, a trigger projecting slightly forward of said tock, a hammer-lock projecting slightly rearward of said stock, a bent spring engaging both said hammer lifter and said hammer-lock, and normally tending to throw said trigger, hammer-lock and hammer lifter to the safety position, whereby said firing mechanism may be operated by simultaneously'drawing towards each other said trigger and said hammer-lock,

for cocking and releasing said hammer, and thus firing the piece.

9. In a firearm the combination with a bar rel, of a hollow stock connected to said barrel, and firing mechanism mounted in said hollow stock comprising ahammer, a hammer spring casing,'a plunger and spring mounted in said casing, said plunger engaging said hammer,

Ill

a hammer lifter, a trigger projecting slightly forward of said stock, a hammer lock projecting slightly rearward of said stock, a sear a. in the form of a bellflcrank lever pivotally mounted on said trigger, a spring also carried by said trigger, and engaging said sear, and a bent spring engaging bothsaid hammer lifter and said hammer-lock, and normally tending to throw said trigger, hammer-lock and hammer lifter to the safety position, whereby said firing mechanism may be operated by sinmltaneously drawing towards each other said trigger and said hammer-lock, for

cocking and releasing said hammer, andthus firing the piece.

10. In a firearm the combination with a barrel, of a hollow stock connected to said barrel, and firing mechanism mounted in said hollow stock comprising a hammer, a hammer spring, a trigger projecting slightly forward of said stock, a pivoted hammer lock having an arm projecting slightly in rear of said stock, a pivoted hammer lifter in the form of a bell crank lever having one arm engaging said hammer, and the other engaging said trigger, and a U shaped spring having one arm engaging said hammer lock and the other arm engaging said hammer lifter, and normally tending to throw said trigger, hammerlock and hammer lifter to the safety position, whereby said firing mechanism may be operatcd by simultaneously drawing towards each other said trigger and said hammer-lock arm for cooking and releasing said hammer, and thus firing the piece.

11. In a firearm the combination with a barrel, of a hollow stock connected to said barrel, and firing mechanism mounted insaid hollow stock comprising a hammer, a hammer spring, a trigger projecting slightly forward of said stock, a scar in the form of a bell crank lever pivotally mounted on said trigger, a spring also carried by said trigger, and engaging said sear, a pivoted hammer lift-er in the form of a bell crank lever having one arm engaging said hammer, and the other 'tion in the barrel and to release same when desired, said latch being provided with a releasing arm bclow said barrel and protruding slightly beyond the adjacent surface of the stock.

LOUIS L. DRIGGS, JR. HENRY B. FABER.

engaging said trigger, a pivoted hammer lock having an arm projecting lightly in rear of said stock, and a U shaped spring having one arm engaging said hammer lock and the other arm engaging said hammer lifter, and normally tending to throw said trigger, hammer-lock and hammer lifter to the safety position, whereby said firing mechanism may be operated by simultaneously drawing towards each other said trigger and said hammer-lock arm, for cocking and releasing said. hammer, and thus firing the piece.

12. In a firearm of the character described,

the combination with a barrel, provided with a slot through one side thereof, of a stock connected to said barrel, and a spring'impressed latch pivoted in said stock and provided with an inwardly projecting tooth adapted to hold the cartridge case in the fir- 

